Thermococcus kodakarensis

A Microbial Biorealm page on the genus Thermococcus kodakarensis

Classification

Higher order taxa

cellular organisms; Archaea; Euryarchaeota; Thermococci; Thermococcales; Thermococcaceae; Thermococcus

Genus

Thermococcus kodakarensis

NCBI: Taxonomy

Description and significance

Previously characterized as Pyrococcus sp., Thermococcus kodakarensis is a sulfur-reducing hyperthermophilic archaeon which typically inhabits marine hydrothermal vents and terrestrial hot sulfur springs. The prokaryote grows at an optimal temperature of 86C, between the ranges of 60-100C, and in a pH range of 5-9. Although this organism is a representation of simple life forms, it grows and thrives in temperatures up to the boiling point of water. In the absence of sulfur, these heterotrophs ferment a variety of organic compounds, including amino acids, peptides, and sugars. Recent accumulation of 16sRNA sequences has indicated the organism belongs to the Thermococcus genus, and not to the originally hypothesized Pyrococcus genus.

Thermococcus kodakarensis was isolated from a solfatara (a volcanic area that releases only hot vapors and sulfurous gases into the environment) on Kodakara Island, Japan, and sequenced by the Kyoto University, Japan. This organism produces commercially applicable thermostable DNA polymerases and enzymes that would be useful for such techniques as PCR. In addition, because Thermococcus kodakarensis is present in natural high-temperature environments, it plays a major role in the microbial ecology of hot-water ecosystems.

Thermococcus kodakarensis belongs to the most commonly isolated hyperthermophilic organisms, Thermococcus sp. and are often isolated from marine hydrothermal vents and terrestrial hot sulfur springs. The genome of T. kodakarensis encodes several proteins found within genetic elements similar to those in Pyrococcus spp., implying mechanisms of horizontal gene transfer of mobile elements among the order Thermococcales. [1]

Genome structure

The Thermococcus kodakaraensis genome contains 2.09 Million base pairs (bp) and is predicted to have approximately 2357 genes. The chromosome has a circular topology and the GC content is estimated to be 38 mol%. Seven genes for probable transposases and four virus-related regions are found within the genome.

Cell structure and metabolism

Thermococcus kodakarensis have an irregular cocci (1-2 µm diameter) cell structure and are motile with several polar flagella. T. kodakarensis has a single ether lipid membrane. It uses amino acids, peptides, pyruvate, and starch as its carbon and energy sources. Metabolic pathways of T. kodakarensis include gluconeogenesis and glycolysis and the products of metabolism are hydrogen and hydrogen sulfide gas.

Ecology

Describe any interactions with other organisms (included eukaryotes), contributions to the environment, effect on environment, etc.

Pathology

How does this organism cause disease? Human, animal, plant hosts? Virulence factors, as well as patient symptoms.

Application to Biotechnology

Does this organism produce any useful compounds or enzymes? What are they and how are they used?

Current Research

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References

[ F. Fukuri, A. Haruyuki, K. Tamotsu, R. Matsumi, F. Shinsuke, and T Imanaka. 2005 "Complete Genome Sequence of the Hyperthermophilic Archaeon Thermococcus kodakaraensis KOD1 and Comparis with Pyrococcus GEnomes." Genome Res., 15: 352-363 (2005)]

M. Morikawa, Y. Izawa, N. Rashid, T. Hoaki, and T. Imanaka. Purification and characterization of a thermostable thiol protease from a newly isolated hyperthermophilic Pyrococcus sp. Appl Environ Microbiol. 1994 Dec;60(12):4559-66.

T. Imanaka,and H. Atomi. Catalyzing "hot" reactions: enzymes from hyperthermophilic Archaea. Chem Rec. 2002;2(3):149-63.

Edited by student of Rachel Larsen and Kit Pogliano